Sadie nodded and addressed the sheriff. “It was Bo Hobbs driving that truck. I had the perfect view of him when he turned the corner at the top of the street. Wasn't his truck, but it was Bo all right."
Patrick inclined his head. “Thank you, Mrs. Hargrove.” Then he turned to his deputy. “Take another man with you and pick him up.” The tone of his voice left no doubt that he wanted that man and he wanted him now. “Consider him armed and dangerous. He could be our shooter as well."
"Yes, sir.” The deputy turned and strode purposefully away.
Cyndi stared at the woman, shocked that she'd come forward. “But you hate me.” The words were low, but the other woman must have heard them because she flinched.
"I should never have blamed you for what your daddy did. That wasn't right.” Sadie Hargrove paused, her worn hands gripping her faded cloth purse. “When Alicia Flint contacted me I didn't know what to think. Why would a lawyer be calling me? When she said that she was calling on your behalf, I thought you were gonna sue me over what had happened outside the hardware store."
Cyndi was finding it harder to keep her eyes open and let her lids drift shut. She didn't want to deal with this right now.
"Can this wait, Mrs. Hargrove?” Shamus's usual calm was gone, replaced by impatience. Cyndi detected an edge of anger in his voice.
Forcing her eyes open, she patted his hand. “It's okay."
"I think this needs to be said.” Sadie Hargrove drew herself up and continued. “She said you were making sure my family got their land back because what your daddy had done wasn't right."
"I don't think this is the time or place to talk about this.” Patrick dropped his hand on the older woman's shoulder. “This is a private legal matter."
"Maybe so,” she agreed. “But I just wanted to say I was sorry. I want to do what's right. I'll testify in court against Bo Hobbs if it comes to that."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hargrove. I'm going to get a deputy to take you to the station and you can give him your statement."
Shamus took Cyndi's hand in his and held it tight. “You need to be in a hospital bed."
"So do you.” She frowned at him. “Why aren't you?” She had no idea how Shamus had gotten out of hospital and just happened to be nearby when she was almost run over.
"Because I needed to see you more."
She started to say something, but it was too late. The paramedics arrived and eased Shamus aside. Within minutes, they had her loaded onto a stretcher and in the back of the ambulance.
A sense of deja vu hit her when Shamus eased himself down onto the seat across from her. “Didn't we already do this?"
He nodded grimly. “Hopefully, this is the last time."
The ambulance began to move and she cried out as pain shot through her hip and leg. Once again, she felt Shamus's hand clasp hers. Then she felt nothing at all.
The door to Cyndi's hospital room pushed open. She kept her eyes shut tight, not sure she was up to dealing with anyone yet. She'd been poked and prodded and had her arm bandaged again. By some stroke of luck, nothing was broken, but she was severely bruised on her left side and wouldn't be feeling like running any races for a week or two. They were keeping her for observation overnight because she had a slight concussion. If all went well, she'd be free to go in the morning.
Footsteps shuffled across the room. She felt the slightest brush of a hand on her head. Her eyes popped open. “You're supposed to be in bed.” An irate doctor had readmitted Shamus while she was being examined in the emergency room. The doctor had given him a tongue-lashing about taking better care of himself and not undoing the work that the surgeons had done.
Shamus chuckled. “Move over."
"What?” She eased to one side as he sat on the bed and lowered his large frame down beside her.
"Now I'm in bed.” He pulled up the guardrail behind him.
"The nurses won't let you stay.” Even as she said it, she scooted closer, gritting her teeth against the pain that shot down her side. She could feel the heat of his body and needed to get as close as possible.
"I know, but I needed to be here with you. To touch you."
"We're quite a pair.” She didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.
He laid his arm carefully around her waist as he leaned in to kiss her. His lips were soft and gentle against hers and she sighed.
"I love you,” he whispered. “Nothing is going to change that."
"I love you too,” she whispered back, knowing she'd do whatever it took to make it work between them.
Sighing, Shamus closed his eyes. Cyndi watched him, wanting to just look at him. Even in repose, his features were sharp and masculine. Smiling, she closed her eyes and snuggled down into her pillow and slept.
The door to the room opened, but neither of them stirred. Dani O'Rourke stood in the doorway with her husband and stared at the couple lying wrapped in each other's arms on the bed. As silently as they'd come, they backed out of the room and shut the door behind them.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Cyndi sat up in bed, surrounded by people. She wished it was just her and Shamus again, but he'd been gone when she'd finally opened her eyes this morning, sneaking back to his own bed sometime during the night. He was back again, this time seated in a chair right next to her bed, but they were anything but alone.
Her Aunt Verna had arrived late last night, and when she'd checked into the Jamesville Motel and inquired about Cyndi, she'd been directed to the hospital. The small town grapevine was alive and well. Cyndi was glad her aunt was here, if only for moral support.
As if sensing her unease, Shamus reached out and took her hand in his, twining their fingers together. She drew strength from his nearness and took a deep breath. “Okay. What exactly is going on?” Patrick was here, along with his wife, Shannon. Burke and Dani were here as well. Cyndi was getting more nervous the longer this took.
Patrick stepped forward. “Bo Hobbs admitted that he was hired at first to try to scare you out of town. When you didn't leave, the plan was changed and he was told to get rid of you."
"Who?” Cyndi had to know who hated her that much.
"Elijah Harris.” Patrick crossed his arms over his chest. “He tried to deny it at first, but when I confronted him about what you'd found in your father's safe, he finally admitted it. Harris wasn't happy when you decided to transfer all your business to another law firm. He figured if you were scared enough, you might leave town and forget about switching. Seems he was hiding some of the funds from the firm and pocketing them himself.” He eyed Cyndi with something resembling respect in his eyes.
She blinked, sure she must be mistaken as Patrick continued. “He had another document already forged, naming Harris and Hammond beneficiary of the estate in the event something happened to you. He'd forged both your signature and your father's. It never occurred to him that your father might have kept proof about their wrongdoings."
"That bastard.” She could feel the anger emanating from Shamus and squeezed his hand tighter.
"What will happen now?” She wanted this mess put behind her so she could get on with her life. Her father and his legacy had made a mess of so many lives.
"Bo Hobbs is charged with attempted murder and a long list of other crimes. Elijah Harris will also be charged, but the charges are still being decided on. I'm sure the list will be long and he'll be disbarred and imprisoned for what he's done."
"Good.” She wasn't normally a vindictive person, but she wanted these men punished for what they'd done, not only to her, but to Shamus.